Maximize Your Brain Capacity
Edition #04 of THE BLUEPRINT
Humans tend to fill everything to its capacity. Our cabinets are full of cups. Our drawers full of clothes. Our shoe rack - filled. Those with large spaces fill the space and those with very little do the same.
And our minds are filled to the brim.
This is what leads to living anxious, stressful lives that leave us feeling like we can never quite get ahead. We never will get ahead if we cannot declutter our mental space.
We all live busy lives - our schedules are full, we meet with people, and we accomplish tasks throughout our days. We eat, do laundry, and work all while doing our part in relationships. At the same time, we are reminded that there is better through social media (and this is okay, we just need to learn how to use this effectively).
But we assume that to achieve more, we must do more. We must squeeze our calendars for every last drop of time. And I disagree - in fact, we must focus on our most important goals and minimize/eliminate distractions that don’t serve them. The more we add to the equation, the more we force ourselves to juggle; a doomed cycle. Self-improvement is just as much about removing the old and what is not working as it is implementing the new habits.
So, how do we clear space:
Begin by limiting distractions: The main culprit; phone use. Social media, emails, notifications, haptics, and other distractions will fill your brain from morning alarm until you go to bed. How: create phone free zones, limit notifications to only the most important people and events, challenge yourself to a week without social media.
This week, I am committing to a no social media challenge and making my bedroom a phone-free zone. Join me in conquering these distractions.
Become present: Through quieting the voice in your head, you will shorten the gap between awareness and action, become a better listener, and increase your charisma. The subconscious is a far better guide than you talking to yourself, so you must learn to shut up and enter your flow. How:
Stop thinking of the next question to ask while someone is talking!
Draw your attention to the external environment by asking questions like: “Which direction is the wind blowing?” or “How do my feet feel right now?” This will pull you out of your thoughts and into the present.
By giving our mind the space to breathe and letting our subconscious do the heavy lifting, we are subject to entering our flow state and actually accomplishing what we desire. Additional side effects include trusting our instincts and finishing our work efficiently.
Through limiting distractions and focusing on presence throughout your day, you will regain control in your life and begin moving forward again.
There is a large range of tactics to conquer the mind. If you are up to a bigger challenge, consider choosing from the practices of breath-work, meditation, visualization, or prayer.
Until next time,
Spencer Abts
